Minisink storms back to thump Warwick

SLATE HILL — Minisink Valley's first of seven lacrosse matches over a 12-day stretch couldn't have started any worse.

WILLIAM MONTGOMERY

SLATE HILL — Minisink Valley's first of seven lacrosse matches over a 12-day stretch couldn't have started any worse.

Warwick's Connor Leavell scored two goals in the first 2:29 Thursday, but Minisink Valley didn't trail for long.

The Warriors responded with eight straight goals and senior captain Jake Levins and freshman Luke Hanson each scored three goals in a 10-3 victory in an Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association Division II match.

"We were building up. We've been practicing for this game," Levins said. "We came in strong and the intensity was high. They got two goals on us, but we didn't let it affect us. We just played our game."

With sophomore attack Joe Sessa sidelined with a sprained shoulder for much of the early portion of the season, Hanson has been a boost to the offense. Hanson, who had once served as the team's ballboy when his older brother Drew was on the varsity team, has scored 11 goals and has three assists for Minisink Valley (5-2, 2-0 OCIAA).

"I moved up this year as a freshman and I couldn't have done it without my teammates and coaches," he said. "They've been building me up and getting me ready and helping me out on the field and in practice. It's been good for me having them around."

Warwick (6-3, 1-2 OCIAA) also received a goal from Nick Maurer.

Minisink Valley's schedule doesn't get any easier. The Warriors will play undefeated Delaware Valley (Pa.) on Saturday and have a Division II game on Monday at Valley Central. Minisink Valley's killer stretch wraps up on May 4 with a road game against perennial New Jersey power Summit.

"It's definitely tough," said Levins. "We have to take care of ourselves. We have to go home, eat something and rest up. We have to come back, do our thing in practice, get some rest and go into the game and we try not to think about it. We just take it one game at a time."